Greenwich To Distribute At-Home COVID-19 Tests Tuesday

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo announced on Monday that the town of Greenwich is scheduled to distribute about 6,000 at-home COVID-19 test kits and N-95 masks to residents on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Greenwich was originally slated to receive over 16,000 test kits — each containing two tests — from the state last week for the first phase, but problems with shipping caused towns around Connecticut to delay distribution.

The town will now distribute two test kits (each kit contains one test) per household as well as two N-95 face masks per household, on Jan. 4 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., until all supplies are distributed. Test kits and masks will be available on a first-come, first-served distribution at the following drive-through locations:

• The Greenwich Senior Center via the rear entrance on Bruce Place for Town residents who are at least 60 years old.
• Grass Island Park, Shore Road for town residents.

All participants will be required to show proof of Greenwich residency via a valid Connecticut driver’s license or a 2021 Greenwich parks pass. All drivers and passengers must remain in their vehicles and wear a face mask at all times.

"While we understand the public’s desire to have test kits in hand in case of exposure, it is imperative that our very limited supply is distributed to those truly in need – residents who are experiencing symptoms and our senior population. It is my hope that residents will not attempt to stockpile the test kits in anticipation of exposure and allow those who need the tests to receive them," Camillo said in a news release Monday.

Camillo continues to encourage residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. As of Dec. 30, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Greenwich has amassed 7,696 COVID-19 cases and 100 deaths since the pandemic began in March 2020.

As of Monday, Greenwich Hospital was treating 50 patients including three patients in the intensive care unit on ventilators.

The town noted that under recently revised guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control, if a self-test for COVID-19 yields a positive result, that person should isolate for five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. There is no need to obtain a follow-up PCR test.

Greenwich’s current mask-wearing rules require that anyone entering any town facility, including Town Hall and libraries, and all schools, to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Camillo is encouraging residents and visitors to wear masks when in businesses, offices, restaurants and other public buildings when social distancing is not possible.